Giants head coach Tom Coughlin announced today that rookie David Wilson would start Sunday’s contest in Atlanta.

Ahmad Bradshaw was ruled out with knee and foot injuries, leaving Wilson to handle the bulk of the workload in the running game in what will mark his first career start in the NFL.

“I always have been preparing because you never know when your opportunity is going to come and when you’re going to be the guy. So even the first week of the season I was practicing to be prepared for whatever and it’s been that way ever since,” Wilson said earlier today.

“This week, Ahmad hardly didn’t practice at all and when you see that you know it’s a possibility that you’re definitely going to be the guy. So I took it with the same approach as I always do.”

Wilson is a week removed from his best game as a pro to date. Against New Orleans, he rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to racking up 227 yards and a touchdown returning kicks.

The Saints rank dead last in terms of rushing yards allowed, surrendering more than 152 yards per game. Though a bit higher on the scale, the Falcons allow 127 yards on the ground per game, leaving Wilson plenty of holes to exploit.

“Every time I come on the field I’m excited to play football,” Wilson said. “I like playing football, so when I’m out there I just want to execute and do what I need to do to be productive for my team.”

Filling in for the injured Bradshaw last week, Wilson earned a career-high 13 attempts. The Giants average 26 rushing attempts per game.

When asked whether Wilson can the workload of a starting back, Coughlin couldn’t give a reason as to why not.

The increased role in the offense will not effect his role on special teams either, as Wilson is expected to remain the team’s primary kick returner.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s going to stay there; how many he gets is another question,” Coughlin said. “I’m not taking him out of that.”